MARD resident docs give an ultimatum to Maha govt over their demands

The Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has written a letter giving intimation to Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra stating that they will go for a state-wide ‘Rasta-Roko’ agitation if their demands are not fulfilled before December 20

The Central MARD is an association representing 4,500 resident doctors of the state.

In a letter written to the Maharashtra CM, they have highlighted certain demands notice which are crucial for them. They have stated that these are long-standing demands which have still not been fulfilled

The letter written by the organisation states,

‘We have joined this profession because somewhere in our heart we have the passion to serve, if it would not be there, we would not have opted for this profession. Nobody by choice wants to go for agitation and harass common masses. But it is the government, who, by not showing courage to solve issues raised by us, creates the necessity of agitation.’

Central MARD has communicated below mentioned demands many times to DMER and Hon’ble Minister Medical Education in last 6 months, but unfortunately, we have not received them in reality.

‘With due respect to constitutional authority of government and people of Maharashtra, we hereby declare that if state government of Maharashtra fails to comply with our following demands till December 20, 2018, all 4,500 resident doctors all over Maharashtra will start state-wide ‘Rasta-Roko’ agitation. This agitation will be backed by resident doctor’s associations working all over India.’

‘When Constitutional Ways Deliver the Justice in Time, What Is the Need of Going on Agitation Then?’

While speaking to My Medical Mantra, Dr Lokeshkumar Chirwatkar, President of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), “Our demands for increased security and other key demands have still not been met with. That is why we decided to write a letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis. We have given a ultimatum to the state government of Maharashtra to fulfil our demands by December 20. Otherwise, we will go on a state-wide ‘Rasta-Roko’ agitation.”

He added, “With the rising attacks on doctors, the pass and alarm system have still not been implemented in govt-run medical colleges in Mumbai, Akola, Aurangabad, Nagpur, and Latur. There are very few security guards in the medical colleges. The government should pay attention to this.”

Dr Chirwatkar further said, “It is compulsory for post graduate student to serve a one year bond in rural areas, three years ago, it was decided by government that bond allotment of PG degree candidate will be done online by DMER which is going on smoothly. And it was also decided that DHS (Directorate of health services) will do bond allotment of PG diploma candidate online. But, in spite of that Bond allotment of diploma candidate is offline, there is lack of transparency in the process. All vacancies are not displayed at the time of allotment. There is no stipulated time limit in which candidate will get posting”

“On one hand, many areas of state including areas affected by High maternal mortality, high infant mortality, high percentage of malnutrition are not having doctors to serve. In such situation, lack of online allotments are not serving the public interest and is going against the public interest,” Dr Chirwatkar said.

Key demands put forth by MARD doctors:

Implement basic security needs promised by government of Maharashtra one and half year back after mass leave agitation of March 2017.

Pass system failure need to be corrected and implemented properly for the safety of doctors.

Alarm system failure needs to be addressed.

In last meeting of 12th June 2018, where secretary to medical education had given instructions to all deans that alarm system should be implemented within 15 days.

It has been six month after promise but no effective alarm system is present in JJ, Akola, Aurangabad, IGMC Nagpur, GMC Nagpur, GMC Latur, etc.

As per the Bombay High court directions high power committee meriting were advised to look after the problems of resident doctors.

Neither one meeting in last year nor other follow up meeting was taken by government.

To study the living and working conditions of residents in all colleges of Maharashtra impartially, we request you to set up third party inquiry committee.

Publish the reports of security audits of all medical colleges conducted till date.